Container filling apparatus



G. L. N. MEYER CONTAINER FILLNG APPARATUS March 17,1970

Filed Oct. 24. 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. GEORGE L.N. MEYER JOHN K.CRUMP A TTORNE Y March 17, 1970 G. L. N. MEYER 3,500,879

CONTAINER FILLNG APPARATUS Filed 001;. 24, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 6OVENTOR.

- GEORG .N.MEYER o 22 BY 82 JOHN K. CRUMP A T TOR/YE Y March 11, 1910 G..-;.MEY:R 3,500,879

conmmm Fmm APPARATUS and cm. 24, 1966 v a sheets-sheets j INVENTOR. |4Q44 GEORGE L. N. MEYER I42 F I 6. 6 so BY Q JOHN K. CRUMP ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent Office 3,500,879 Patented Mar. 17, 1970 3,500,879CONTAINER FILLING APPARATUS George L. N. Meyer, Milwaukee, Wis.,assignor, by mesne assignments, to Automatic Sprinkler Corporation ofAmerica, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Oct. 24, 1966,Ser. No. 588,420 Int. Cl. B65b 1/04, 31/00, 3/04 US. Cl. 141----1 11Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A counterpressure type filler valvefor introducing liquids into containers from a filler bowl. A verticallyextending liquid passage connected to the filler bowl and having afilling opening at its lower end. A reciprocally mounted vent tubemember mounted in the liquid passageway for establishing an initialcounterpressure within the container and for thereafter drawing offcounterpressure gas from within the container until the liquid reaches apredetermined level in the container. A liquid control valve assembly ismounted on the vent tube which includes a liquid valve for controllingliquid flow through the liquid passage and a swirl inducing memberpositioned upstream of the liquid valve. The swirl inducing member isadapted to impart a swirling motion to the liquid upstream of the valveso that the liquid flowing past the valve will flow in close proximityto the inner surface of both the passageway and container to thus avoidsubstantial contact with the valve and vent tube to thu permit free flowof counterpressure gas from the container. A check valve is alsoprovided to effect a gas seal in the liquid passageway upon the liquidreading the predetermined level in the container to prevent gas escapeback up through the passageway.

The present invention is directed generally to the filling of containerswith liquid and more particularly concerns means and methods foreffecting the high peed filling of containers such as bottles.

The present invention is intended to overcome certain limitations anddrawbacks in presently known methods and apparatus for fillingcontainers with liquids having a relatively high content of di solvedgas such as beer and carbonated soft drinks for example.

The inventive concepts herein described are particularly adapted forincorporation within counterpressure filling mechanism of the type shownand described in U.S. Letters Patent No. 2,063,326, issued Dec. 8, 1936,to George L. N. Meyer.

Heretofore, to achieve satisfactory filling of bottles with beer, softdrinks and the like, it has been necessary to limit the flow rate of theliquid into the bottle as by maintaining the liquid head in the supplybowl to a height of not more than 4 to 6 inches. Attempts to increasethe liquid flow rate by increasing the head of liquid in the bowl and/or by enlarging the liquid flow handling areas in the valve apparatusused to control the filling operation have resulted in excessive foamingwithin the liquid and this in turn has led to the production of erraticfill heights in the bottles.

This limitation which exists with conventional filling systems inrespect to liquid flow rates has materially limited the speed with whichthe filling operation may be accomplished and has had the effect,therefore, of restricting the rated operational speed and capacity ofconventional counterpressure type filling apparatus. Accordingly, it maybe stated that a principal objective of the present invention is theimprovement of known methods and apparatus for effecting thecounterpressure filling of containers with liquids whereby to permit theattainment of substantially faster filling speeds without sacrifice infill quality and without loss of fill height control in the containersbeing filled.

A further limitation of known counterpressure filling systems andapparatus such as represented in the aforesaid patent to George L. N.Meyer resides in the necessity of providing a deflector or spreaderelement on the vent tube which exhausts the counterpressure gas from thebottle, to direct the liquid to the interior walls of the bottle andthus prevent the incoming liquid from clogging the gas exhaust aperturesin such vent tube and creating a partial fill. Because the mechanicaldeflector means is required to be placed at different distances from thetop of the bottle for different inside neck configurations of theparticular bottle being filled, it was necessary to change the vent tubeon which the spreader is mounted to enable the filling of bottlesvarying from one run to the next in neck configuration.

Then too, in the filling of certain types of containers, namely bottleshaving re-entrant angles in their neck regions, the spreader sometimesproved incapable of maintaining the gas exhaustion apertures free ofincoming liquid. Proper filling of this type of container was thusdifficult to achieve with conventional filling apparatus.

The presence of the spreader element in the path of liquid flow in thebottle was further objectionable in that it led to an undesirableagitation of the liquid. Moreover, an aspirating effect was produced bythe movement of the liquid over the spreader and this resulted in thecounterpressure gas within the bottle and such air as was presenttherein being drawn along with the liquid as it descended into thebottle. The absorption of air by the flowing liquid was thus facilitatedto the detriment of fill quality and stability. This agitation andturbulence of the liquid stream by the deflector was generally inaddition to that produced in valve mechanism proper, principally by themain liquid valve which controls the flow of liquid therethrough.

It may be stated, therefore, that a further object of the instantinvention is the provision of counterpressure filling means whichobviates the necessity of a spreader or deflector element on the venttube and which avoids any appreciable interference between the liquidcontrol valve and the liquid flowing to the container.

Ancillary to this object is the provision of counterpressure fillingmeans which permits altering of the fill height of the liquid in thebottle without the necessity of changing the vent tube as was necessarywith heretofore known counterpressure type filling systems andapparatus.

In accordance with the present invention, the high speed filling ofcontainers such as bottles is advantageously effected by imparting acentrifugal component of motion to the liquid as it flows from a sourceof liquid supply to the container such that in descending into andeffecting filling of the same, the liquid is caused to flow outwardly toand in a generally spiraling flow path around the inside face or wall ofthe container by centrifugal force. This spiraling flow of liquid alingthe side of the container tends to produce a fairly heavy, homogeneousliquid film on the walls of the container and effectively permits a highvolumetric flow rate of liquid thereto without an excessive productionof foam within the liquid and without other adverse affect on thequality or stability of the resultant fill obtaining in the container.The filling technique contemplated in the invention enables significantreductions in filling times in the counterpressure system of fillingcontainers.

With the foregoing in mind, it may be stated that the present inventionis more particularly directed to filler valve mechanism wherein theliquid in flowing therethrough to a container is initially provided witha spiralg or spinning motion and is thereafter subjected to a tbstantialcircumferentially accelerating force by the .oduction in the liquidstream of an inward swirling or rticular flow motion.

In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment f the invention,this flow motion is obtained in a filler tlve mechanism comprising apair of movable valve as- :mblies cooperating to initiate a filling flowof liquid the container and to automatically terminate liquid 3w theretowhen a predetermined liquid level is attained the container, and aseries of curved liquid deflector mes arranged to impart a radiallyoutward, spinning moon to the liquid as the latter flows through themechaism under the control of the valve assemblies. These )operatingassemblies include a main liquid flow control tlve located below thevanes in the direction of liquid ow through the mechanism and agenerally tubular check tlve means surrounding the vanes and formed inthewet end thereof with a funnel-like seat portion norially positionedin the path of liquid flow from the vanes the container and operable insuch position to effect 1 inward swirling or vorticular motion in theliquid and lovable to a closing position against the liquid valve hen apredetermined height of liquid is attained in the )ntainer to preventfurther liquid flow thereto.

The construction of the present invention enables the quid to bedelivered to the container with a relatively lpid spinning motion andwith a consequent high com- )nent of centrifugal force acting thereondespite a low :ad of liquid in the filler bowl or other liquid supplyfor re valve mechanism. The described arrangement is of articularadvantage in that the desired motion is attained l the liquid by arelatively simplified, compact arrangerent of parts and elements andwhich function further t close the valve mechanism to liquid flow at thedesired aim in the filling cycle. The described arrangement is irtherconducive to the maintenance in the liquid stream E a substantiallystreamlined flow condition as a minitum of flow obstructive surfaces arepresent in the mechanism. Moreover, the present construction eliminates1e need of a mechanical deflector or spreader element in re container asthe liquid is carried outwardly to the all thereof by the motionimparted to it in the valve roper. The deleterious affects which suchdeflector elelents have on the incoming liquid are thus avoided. In llSregard, the invention obviates the necessity of changlg vent tubes infilling differing sizes and shapes of conliners in order to establish aspreader position therein Jnducive to proper conduct of the fillingoperation.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention 'ill appear in thecourse of the detailed description of 1c invention appearinghereinafter.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the best mode resently contemplatedof carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view of the novel ller valve apparatusof the invention shown operatively ssembled within a filler bowl anddepicting the apparatus l a closed position preparatory to commencing afilling ycle;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the quid valve assemblyembodied in the novel filler valve E the invention, with parts removedtherefrom for clarity f illustration;

FIGURE 3 is an upper end elevation of the portion of ie liquid valveassembly depicted in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 1 but n a 90 plane thereto,depicting the filler valve apparais in filling position;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section nd partly inelevation, showing the position of the filler alve apparatus when afilling flow of liquid to the continer has been completed; 1

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged side view partly in section and partly inelevation of a portion of the filler valve apparatus of the invention,showing details of construction and assembly of the principal liquidflow controlling elements of the apparatus; and

FIGURE 7 is an enlargement of a structure shown in FIGURE 6,illustrating the angular relationship of the engaging surfaces of theliquid flow controlling members, with parts of the valve apparatus beingshown in phantom and others being omitted for clarity of illustration.

Generally speaking, the drawings depict a portion of a counter-pressurefiller 10 of the type employed for the high speed filling of containerswith liquids having a relatively high content of dissolved gas, beer andcarbonated soft drinks being best typical of such liquids. Such a filler10 comprises a rotationally supported, hermetically sealable filler bowl12 (shown in part only) adapted to contain both a supply of the liquidwhich is to be introduced into the containers and a gas. The liquidlevel 14 in the bowl is maintained within predetermined limits bysuitable float actuated controls (not shown) and the gas pressure isalso suitably controlled within prescribed limits by conventionalcontrol means (also not shown).

The filler bowl is provided with a series of assembly openings 16arranged in equi-circumferentially spaced relation to one another aroundthe base or bottom wall 18 of the bowl for receiving the novel fillervalve assemblies of the invention, indicated generally in the drawingsby the reference number 20. Only one such filler valve 20 is depicted inthe drawings but it will be understood that it is not uncommon to haveas many as 40, 50, 60 or 72 more valves in a commercial filler machine.

The containers requiring filling such as a bottle 22 are adapted to beserially fed into the machine and removed therefrom when filled inconventional starwheels or the like (not shown) and are adapted to beelevated and lowered relatively of the valves at appropriate times inthe filling cycle by hydraulic stirrups (also not depicted).

Referring now to the details of construction of the novel filler valveof the invention, a tubular guide or cage 24 is mounted vertically inthe assembly opening 16 above and in axial alignment 'with a cylindricalvalve head or housing 26 having a radially enlarged extension 28depending from the base or bottom wall of the filler bowl. The cage andhousing are preferably provided with suitable external locator shoulderswhich cooperate with complementing abutments in the bore of the openingto locate these members properly in the base of the bowl. A packing ring30 seals the cage and housing to one another and to the filler base 18.

The enlarged portion of housing 28 receives a liquid control valveassembly 32 which in cooperation with a surrounding check valve member34 controls the flow of liquid through a filling opening 36 definedaxially of the housing extension 28 as follows. A fixed valve seat 38,composed of rubber or other resiliently compressible material, isreceived within the housing below the valve members 32 and 34, beingcentered relatively thereof by a radially outstanding lip 40 formedintegral with the seat. The seat is in sealing engagement with thehousing through a packing ring 42 interposed between the lip 40 and anabutment shoulder 44 defined interiorly of the housing. A metal disc 46is embedded within the valve seat, as shown, to stiffen the centeringlip and the valve seat proper. Disposed below valve seat 38 is anannular base or block member 48 of a snift valve assembly 50. The basederives its centering in the housing through the seating engagement of acircumferential ridge 52 formed integrally with the valve seat on theunderface thereof with a complementary shaped groove 54 provided in theupper face of block 38. The housing enlargement 28 further receives acontainer sealing member or fitting 56 which includes an outer ringmember 58 frictionally receiving a rubber sealing cup 60 and is sized tofit closely within the bore of the housing immediately below base member48. The aforementioned parts of the filler valve are removably retainedin opening 16 by a clamping bracket 62 engaging upwardly under aclamping shoulder 64 integral with the outer ring 58 of sealing member56. A machine screw 66 holds clamping bracket 62 to the base of thefiller bowl.

The liquid valve assembly 32 will be described in greater particularityhereinafter and it will suffice at this point to note that such assemblyincludes a substantially frusto-conical enlargement 68 which is anintegral part of a tubular valve stem 70 extending centrally the lengthof the aforesaid cage 24. The stem is supported for axially slidablemovement in the cage to provide for opening and closing movement of theliquid valve assembly 32 relatively of the filling opening 36 bystructure which includes a collar 72 fixedly secured within the upperend of the cage.

The lower terminus of enlargement 68 is provided with a circumferentialgroove 74 within which is seated a bevel edged closure member 76 ofrubber or other resiliently compressible material and an O-ring 78 forreleasably holding the closure 76 in place. The enlargement 68 of thevalve stem further supports a vent tube 80 depending axially of the stemand extending centrally through the aforesaid filling opening 36. Venttube 80 is adapted to be received in the upper portion of a bottle whenin filling position with rubber sealing cup 60 of sealing member 56 andis provided with fill height control apertures 82 in its lower tip.

The valve stem is urged relatively towards an upper slide position inthe cage and liquid valve assembly 32 to a raised or open positionrelatively of filling opening 36 by a coil spring 84 compressively heldbetween the aforesaid collar 72 in the upper end of the tubular cage 24and an upper spring seat 86 slidably assembled to the stem, by anO-ring-retainer clip stop structure 88 mounted to the stem above theseat 86. Upward sliding travel of the stem on the cage is limited by asecond such stop structure 90 located on the stem below the collar 72.It will be understood that the liquid head above the liquid valveassembly together with the pressure of the gas in the bowl and theweight of the assembly counter the upward bias of spring 84 and normallyretain the liquid valve assembly in a lower or closed position in thehousing until the bottle is properly counterpressurized throughstructure hereinafter described.

The check valve 34 which cooperates with the liquid valve assembly tocontrol the flow of liquid to the containers via filling opening 36constitutes the subject matter of co-pending patent application Ser. No.589,482 filing date Oct. 24, 1966, and which has a common assignee withthat of the present invention; accordingly, therefore, only a briefdescription thereof will be set forth herein below. The liquid controlfunction of check valve 34 essentially entails the automatic closing ofthe valve apparatus to interchange of counterpressure gas in thecontainer and in the housing below the liquid valve assembly with liquidpresent above the latter assembly when the liquid in the container risesto the level of the fill height control apertures 82 in the vent tube tocheck the escape of counterpressure gas from the container through thetube and valve stem 70. In general, check valve member 34 comprises alight gauge sleeve member 92 surrounding the liquid valve assembly and acentrally apertured conical valve element 94 supported by the sleeve inoperative relation between the liquid valve assembly and fixed valveseat 38.

The sleeve which for reasons to appear hereinafter is composed of anon-magnetic material has a relatively loose sliding fit in the bore ofthe housing and includes a skirt-like extension 96 below an interiorgroove 98 provided therein for seating a flanged portion 100 of valveelement 94. The skirt 96 is received within an annular liquid trap orwell 102 surrounding a radially reduced upper section 104 of valve seat38 and which is of a depth such that the skirt remains continuouslytherein with check valve movement between the limits of travel in thehousing. During operation, liquid flowing through the housing tends tocollect within trap 102 and such liquid in combination with the skirtaffords a continuous sliding seal for the check valve in the housing.The reduction 104 in the rubber valve seat is preferably encircled by arigid ring member 106 to assure constancy of diameter to the liquid trapdefining structure.

Valve element 94 which is preferably composed of stainless steel orother magnetic material seats against the upper conical face 108 of thevalve seat through its lower face 94' when the check valve is in a lowerslide position in the housing and, with the liquid valve assembly inclosed position, is engaged on its upper face 94" by the resilientclosure member 76. The liquid valve assembly as previously indicated isnormally held in this lower position by the liquid head in the bowl andfiller valve and by the pressure of the gas above the liquid column andthrough this gas and liquid media a sealing compression of the valveface 108 and of closure member 76 with the respective surfaces 94 and94" of valve element 94 is effected whereby to positively close fillingopening 36 to flow when liquid valve assembly is in closed position.

The check valve tends to remain in a lower slide position in the housingwhen liquid valve assembly is in open position in the housing and when afilling flow of liquid to the container has commenced by the kineticenergy of the flowing liquid acting against valve element 94. Anopposing force tending to move the check valve upwardly in the housingand to a position in which the upper face engages the closure member isprovided by a magnetic type actuating means and which in the illustratedform of the invention comprises a series of permanent bar magnets 110located in corresponding of a series of vertical drilled openings 112 inthe upper, peripheral portion of the housing extension. These magnetscollectively provide a magnetic field which includes the valve element94 of the check valve when the latter is in its lower slide position inthe housing and which field is related in intensity in the region of thevalve element to the counteracting kinetic energy of the liquid passingthrough the housing so as to effect lifting of the check valve to thepoint where face 94" engages closure member 76 only upon cessation ofliquid flow in the housing. Accordingly, therefore, upon cessation ofliquid flow to the container, the magnets cooperating with the valveelement 94 will cause the latter to move upwardly in the housing in toseating engagement with the closure member simultaneously while applyingsufficient pressure to the closure member to effect a gas-liquid sealbetween the latter and the upper face 94" of the valve element. Thissealing of the valve element to the closure member by the magnetsprovides together with the continuous sliding seal afforded between thehousing and sleeve by trap .102 and cooperating skirt 96 a complete andpositive obstruction to counterpressure gas flow upwardly past theliquid valve assembly and to liquid flow to the container around theassembly when the check valve is in raised position.

The force developed by magnets 110 on the valve element and tending toraise the check valve in the housing may be adjusted as needed toachieve proper operation of the check valve by varying the strength andnumber of the magnets and/or by varying the spacing between the lowerend of the magnets and the valve element. Bar magnets 110 may be shimmedin openings 112 as by O-rings 114 to permit this latter adjustment.

It is to be noted that during the opening of the liquid valve assembly,the force provided by the flowing liquid and which tends to retain thecheck valve 34 in seating relation with the upper face 108 of valve seat38 is momentarily absent. However, inasmuch as the valve element 94 islarger in diameter than the resilient closure member 76, the liquidcolumn present above the valve element is effective against the exposedmarginal portion f valve face 94" to prevent the check valve from movlgupwardly in the housing in this interim period.

To facilitate the separation of closure member 76 from alve element 94during opening movement of the liquid alve assembly, the taper angles ofthe respective engagrg port ons of valve element 94 and closure member76 re preferably related to one another in a manner which dmits of linecontact only between these members. A milar angular relationship isprovided between the valve lement and upper face 108 of the valve seat38 to in- 1re the check valve lifting properly from the valve seat I:the desired point in the filling cycle.

The counterpressuring of the containers such as bottle 2 is adapted tobe effected prior to the opening of the quid valve assembly by a more orless conventional type as charging valve assembly 116 associated withthe upper xtremity of the valve stem. This valve assembly .116 comrisesa cap member 118, slidably fitted onto the top of 1e stem above liquidlevel 14. The cap member is rovided with side ports 120 for establishingcommuniltion between the gas within the filler bowl and the ottle orother container when in sealing engagement with re resilient cup 60 ofcontainer sealing member 56 lrough the stem, vent tube 80 and fillheight apertures 2, when the cap member is in raised position relativelyf the stem. A light spring 122 seating between the upper -ring stopstructure 88 on the stern and a raised shoulder 24 on the exterior ofthe cap member balances the 'eight of the cap and urges the same towardsa raised r open position. The upper end of the cap member is rovidedwith a spool-like closure member 126 which is lreaded onto the upper endof the cap to hold a packing 28 in position to effect a gas seal at thetop of the valve :em 70. The closure member presents an upper and a wershou der 130 and 132 respectively and which are dapted to be operativelyengaged by an operating lever 34 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft136 extendlg through the side of the filler bowl for actuation fromutside the bowl in a manner well known in the art.

Referring now to the construction of the aforesaid nift valve assembly50, the aforesaid base or block lember 48 has a radial outwardprojection 138 which accommodated within a suitable opening in the sidef the housing extension 28, as shown in FIGURE 4. he projection definesa valve chamber 140, the blind ad of which is countersunk to receive aremovable screw ushing 142 which is provided with a restricted sniftorice 144. A snift passage 146 is provided in the block communicate thevalve chamber with the interior of the alve apparatus in the region ofthe filling opening via 1e bushing orifice 144. A cap nut 148 isthreaded to the uter end of the projection 138 and carries an axiallyslidble snift button 150 having a fiat at 152 to communicate 1e chamberwith the atmosphere through the button. he inner end of the button isprovided with a valve lement 154 which is held to the nut by screw andwasher leans 156.

Snift button 150 is normally urged to a radially outer lide position inthe cap nut to retain the snift valve in losed position by a spring .158disposed in the valve hamber 140. In this position of the button, thesnift alve element 154 seats against the inside face of the ap nut 148to block communication between the filling pening and the atmosphere viapassage 146, orifice 144, alve chamber 140 and the flat 152. Upon inwardsliding lovement of the button, however, the valve element 154 nseatsfrom the cap nut to place the snift valve in open osition and permitcommunication between the atmoshere and the filling opening whereby topermit venting f the bottle to atmosphere. The actuator is adapted to edepressed at the proper time in the filling cycle to vent 1e bottle byconventional mechanism which is arranged xteriorly of the filler bowl ina predetermined position round the circumference thereof.

As previously indicated, a principal object of the presnt invention isthe provision within a counterpressure type filling system of fillervalve apparatus of improved construction and operation and which whilecapable of effecting a fill within the container which is ofconsistentlyhigh quality and stability, appreciably reduces the timerequired to effect the filling operation.

In general, the above and other objects and advantages of the inventionare achieved in the present counterpressure filler valve mechanism byproviding means therein for causing the liquid to be delivered to thecontainer being filled with a rapidly spinning or swirling motion suchthat the liquid in descending into and effecting the filling of thecontainer or other container is caused to flow outwardly and smoothlyand rapidly around the interior wall of the same by centrifugal action.This spinning flow motion results in a build-up in the liquid filmthickness obtaining along the walls of the container with an increasingvolumetric flow rate of liquid thereinto and further tends to create acondition of substantial homogeneity in the liquid film passing over thecontainer walls. Under these flow conditions, liquid transfer to thecontainer may be accomplished with a minimum of gas loss from and. airabsorption within the liquid such that despite an increase in the rateof liquid flow into the container and a consequent reduction in the timerequired for effecting the filling operation, the fill obtained therebyis of characteristically high quality and stability and is unaccompaniedby the formation of an excessive amount of foam such as would preventclose control over the final fill height of the liquid in the container.

In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention,this spinning or swirling motion is adapted to be induced in the liquidby the cooperation of the aforesaid check valve member 34 with a seriesof large diameter, liquid flow directing blades or vanes formedintegrally with the aforesaid frusto-conical enlargement 68 of theliquid valve assembly 32. Generally speaking, the blades 160 areangularly arranged with respect to the axis of the housing and to thenormal path of liquid flow therethrough so as to provide, on a sustainedor continued basis, a component of centrifugal force to the liquid asthe latter is urged downwardly through the housing by the gravitationalenergy of the liquid in the filler bowl. In the illustratedconstruction, the blades or vanes have a generally spiral or helicalformation with the center of the spiral or helix coincident with theaxial centerline of the housing and extend continuously around theenlargement from a position adjacent the upper end thereof to adjacentthe resilient closure member 76 of the liquid valve assembly 32.

The particular embodiment selected for illustrating the novel conceptsof the invention employs three identical blades or vanes arranged inequi-circumferentially spaced relation around the enlargement. Theblades are preferably of uniform outside diameter over their length andto enhance the deflection or spinning action thereof on the flowingliquid correspond fairly closely to the inside diameter of the tubularsleeve portion 92 of the check valve 34. It will be observed that theroot diameter of the vanes increases progressively in proceedingdownwardly along the length of the vanes due to the frusto-conical formof the enlargement; accordingly, therefore, the liquid flow pathsdefined between the vanes will, of necessity, decrease in area inproceeding from the upper to the lower terminals of the vanes. Forreasons to appear hereinafter, the root diameter at the lower ends ofthe vanes is slightly less than the outside diameter of the closuremember 76.

The vanes themselves are characterized by a substantial depth or radialprojection from the enlargement 68, particularly in the upper endportion thereof, and have a fairly wide axial spacing whereby to affordrelatively large, unobstructed flow passages for the liquid between theblades. To this same end, the vanes are preferentially provided with aconstant, fairly light gauge or thin cross-sectional construction.

It will be appreciated that with the arrangement and configuration whichhas thus far been described for the vanes, the liquid upon passingthrough the housing will be confined for flow between the vanes by thesurrounding sleeve 92 of check valve 34 and as a consequence thereofwill be forcibly spun around the center of the housing concomitantlywhile advancing axially thereof. This action of the blades on the liquidflowing therethrough is enhanced by the constantly decreasing flow areadefined for the liquid by the vanes inasmuch as the liquid in proceedingbetween the vanes will be caused to undergo a continuous acceleratingmovement. This acceleration produces a desirable increase in themagnitude of the centrifugally acting component of force imparted to theliquid by the vanes. At the same time, the varying root diameter of thevanes results in the liquid being carried progressively furtheroutwardly of the center of the housing as it moves axially thereof andupon exiting from the vanes, the liquid mass is for the most part ableto flow past the marginal portions of the valve closure member 76without contacting the same. This, of course, is highly desirable as anyinterference from the closure member with the flowing liquid isextremely detrimental to the maintenance in the liquid stream of aspinning or circulatory motion and further tends to produce anundesirable agitation of the liquid to the substantial detriment of thequality and stability of the resultant fill obtaining in the bottle.

This progressive radial outward displacement of the liquid in thehousing as it moves downwardly therein carries the liquid welloutwardly, in a radial direction, of the filling opening 36 and, inexiting from between the vanes and moving to and through the opening,the liquid is forced to flow back towards the center of the housing bythe funnel or conical-like valve element 94 of the check valve. Thisarrangement produces a novel swirling or vortex action in the liquid asit leaves the vanes and results in the importation to the liquid of asignificant, further circumferentially accelerating force and, in turn,results in a consequent appreciable increase in the magnitude of thecentrifugal force acting on the liquid prior to the latter entering thebottle. Thus, it can be appreciated that the action of the vanes on theliquid is augmented in a novel and significant manner with the resultthat the liquid 1s enabled to enter the bottle with an appreciablecomponent or centrifugal motion.

The particular construction described for the hquld flow directing vanesand the specified arrangement of the same in the housing has been foundto eflect a pronounced spinning o1" spiraling flow of liquid withincontainers of widely varying shapes and lengths despite a comparativelylow gravitational energy level of the liquid in the filler bowl. It willbe understood, however, that other arrangements and configurations ofthe vanes may be utilized and that the particular design shown anddescribed herein is merely for purposes of explanation.

The angle of the valve element 94 which as previously noted is dependentto some extent upon the configuration of the upper face 108 of valveseat 38 and on that of the beveled closure member 76 is of particularimportance to the attainment in the liquid of the desiredcircumferentially accelerating movement as it flows from the vanes anddesirably should be one which is designed to maximize the accelerationwhich the liquid undergoes as it passes the valve element. At the sametime, however, abrupt directional changes in liquid flow through thevalve mechanism are to be avoided to prevent undue turbulence andagitation within the liquid. A particularly advantageous taper angle forthe valve element has been found to be 35 to the horizontal. A angulargradient between the valve face and the corresponding engaging surfacesof the valve seat 38 and the resilient closure member 76 has been foundsuflicient to produce the desired freedom of movement between the liquidvalve assembly 32 and the valve element 94 and between the latter andthe fixed valve seat 38. That is to say, with a taper on the valveelement 94, the upper face 108 of the valve seat 38 may be provided witha 40 angular taper to the horizontal and the resilient valve closuremember 76 a 30 angle to horizontal, as shown more clearly in FIGURE 7.

OPERATION In operation and with the filler bowl charged in theconventional manner with liquid and gas under pressure, the containerssuch as bottles 22 are automatically raised into filling position withthe individual filler valves and through the sealing member or fitting56 are both centered relatively thereto and sealed from the atmosphere.

The operating lever 134 controlling the gas charging valve assembly 116is then actuated by exteriorly positioned control mechanism to allow thecap member 118 to slide up on the valve stem 70 under the bias of spring122 and thereby admit counterpressurizing gas from the bowl to theinterior of the sealed bottle via the side ports 120 in the cap, valvestem, vent tube 80 and fill height ports 82. When the gas pressure inthe bottle is approximately equal to the pressure in the filler bowl,the liquid valve assembly is raised to open position by the compressionspring 84 whereupon liquid starts to flow through the filling openinginto the bottle. Concurrently therewith, the counterpressure gas passesfrom within the bottle back to the bowl through the aforedescribed flowpath provided by the vent tube, valve stem and cap member.

During the opening of the liquid valve assembly 32, the check valve 34is presented from unseating from the conical upper face 108 of the valveseat 38 by the liquid column thereabove acting against the marginalportion of the conical valve element 94. The presence of line contactonly between the resilient closure member 76 and the valve element 94facilitates this separation of the liquid valve assembly from the checkvalve, as previously indicated. The check valve is forced to remainseated against the valve seat once filling commences by the kineticenergy of the liquid flowing through the housing. FIGURE 4 illustratesthe relative position of the liquid valve assembly and the check valveat the commencement of the actual filling of the bottle.

As the liquid flows through the valve housing, it is confined betweenthe helical blades or vanes 160 of the liquid valve assembly by thecheck valve sleeve 92 and, in flowing therebetween, the liquid is causedto be spun or rotated about the axis of the housing simultaneously as itis accelerated and passed progressively further out: wardly of thecenter thereof. This combined action of the blades on the liquid resultsin the impartation to the liquid of an appreciable centrifugal componentof motiori and, as the liquid moves relatively axially of the housing,it is compelled outwardly against and in a generally circular orspiraling flow path around the inside faces of the various valveelements. This outward compulsion of the liquid in the housing isheightened by the vortex eflect of the valve element 94 of the checkvalve 34 on the liquid as it moves from the vanes to the filling opening36 such that upon the liquid passing into the bottle, it is possessed ofan appreciable component of centrifugal motion. The liquid is therebycaused to flow outwardly and rapidly around the inside face of thebottle as it effects the filling of the same.

When the liquid level in the bottle reaches the fill height controlports 82 in the vent tube 80, gas evacuation from the bottle issubstantially retarded which in turn causes an abrupt stoppage of liquidflow through the housing. When this condition occurs, the forcedeveloped by the liquid against the check valve and which tends toretain the check valve against the valve seat in opposition to thecountervailing force developed by the magnets on the magnetic valveelement 94, for all intents and purposes, becomes negligible and thecheck valve is thereby caused to move upwardly in the housing to bringthe valve element 94 into upward seating relation with the resilientvalve closure member 76, as shown in FIGURE 5.

The skirt 96 of the check valve remains in the liquid rap 102surrounding the valve seat when the check valve in this upper slideposition and there is thereby effected L positive gas-liquid seal in thehousing, blocking communication between the bottle and the filler bowl.Counter- )ICSSUI'B gas within the headspace of the bottle and within hehousing below the resilient valve closure member 76 is herebyaflirmatively precluded from escaping back to the iller bowl and, at thesame time, liquid flow downwardly )ast the closure 76 is positivelyprevented. Further liquid low to the bottle is therefore stopped at thispoint in the illing cycle.

The next stage of the filling cycle involves the closing of he gascharging valve and the liquid valve assemblies vhereby to return thefiller valve to the initial closed conlition of FIGURE 1. This isaccomplished in the convenional manner; that is, by suitably pivotingthe operating ever 134 through the exterior control mechanism to causehe cap member 118 to slide down on the valve stem 70 against the bias ofspring 122 to initially cover the side 301128 120 and to thereafterbring the cap to bear against he top of the stem 38 to cause the latterto be lowered Fuller in the tubular cage 24. This downward movement )fthe stem returns the liquid valve assembly to closed :osition,simultaneously while causing the check valve to "eturn to its normallyinoperative or lower position in the iousing.

Immediately after this step, the head space of the bottle 5 vented tothe atmosphere through the snift valve assemaly 30. This is accomplishedthrough the engagement of mother exteriorly positioned control devicewith the snift Jutton 150 and which effects a depression or inwardslidng movement of the latter to lift the snift valve element [54 otfits seat and thereby establish communication be- :ween the atmosphereand the bottle head space via the aassageway 146, orifice 144, valvechamber 140 and the lat 152. The restricted nature of the orifice 144assures 1 gradual release of the pressure within the bottle wherey toprevent undesirable agitation of the liquid fill luring the venting orsnifting operation.

At the completion of the snifting step, the filled bottle s lowered fromthe filler valve and removed for a final :apping or crowning operation.

With the novel filler valve apparatus described herein, .imitationswhich heretofore existed in conventional filling ipparatus in respect tothe level of liquid which could 9e maintained in the filler bowl and yetobtain a fill within the containers of consistently acceptable qualityiave effectively been removed and as a consequence thereof the timerequired to effect the filling of containers such as bottles issignificantly reduced with the present inven- :ive apparatus. As anindication of the improved opera- :ional results obtainable with thevalve of the invention, 1 series of test runs were made under actualfilling coniitions using a conventional counterpressure type fillervalve and a valve embodying the herein described construction.

These test runs which involved some six different types 3f liquidsvarying widely in volumetric gas content and in their respectiveproclivity towards foaming and involving with a range of bottle shapesand sizes showed that an average reduction in filling time of 36% waspossible with the valve of the invention.

In addition to the significantly faster filling speeds which areattainable with the valve of the invention, the present :onstructioneliminates the necessity of providing the vent tube with a spreader ordeflector element for directing the liquid onto the inside face of thecontainer as it flows thereinto, to prevent the gas escape ports in thetube from becoming prematurely closed by the liquid and creating apartial fill within the bottle. This not only avoids the deleteriouseffects which such element had on the incoming liquid it further avoidsthe necessity of changing vent tubes in filling bottles having differingneck configurations from one run to the next in order to maintain thespreader in a predetermined relation with the gas escape ports in thetube. In this same connection, the present valve construction enablesthe liquid level obtaining in the bottle to be varied within limitswithout changing vent tube as is required in valves of conventionaldesign, merely by replacing the resilient sealing cup 60 of thecontainer sealing member 56 with one of differing axial dimensions,depending upon the nature of the change required in the liquid level.This change may be effected quite readily since the center element isheld by frictional engagement in the outer ring element and may beremoved and replaced with the valve apparatus intact in the filler bowl.

While the present invention has principal utility in the filling ofbottles or other similar containers which are characterized by arelatively small or restricted filling opening in the end thereof, theherein delineated inventive concepts are susceptible of application tothe filling of a wide variety of other types of containers orreceptacles by appropriate modifications or additions to the fillingstructure.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims, particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention.

I claim: 7

1. In a counterpressure filler valve mechanism for introducing liquidsinto containers having a filling opening in the end thereof andincluding a liquid passage, a liquid valve for controlling liquid flowthrough said passage to a container to be filled, and a gas passageextending centrally the length of the liquid passage for establishing aninitial counterpressure within the container and for thereafter drawingoft counterpressure gas from within the container until the liquidreaches a predetermined level in the container said gas passageincluding vent tube means adapted to be received within the containerwhen in filling position to prevent gas escape from the container uponthe attainment of a predetermined liquid level in the container, meansfor producing a vorticular flow motion in the liquid as it flows throughsaid liquid passage which causes the liquid on entering the container toflow outwardly and under increased velocity to and circularly .of theinner walls of the container being filled so as to prevent accidentalclosing of the gas passage by the liquid prior to the predeterminedliquid level being attained in the container, comprising a series ofcurved vanes disposed in said liquid passage in coaxial relation withsaid gas passage, said vanes defining a series of curved flow paths forthe liquid in said liquid passage; and movable check valve means adapedto provide a gas seal in said liquid passage upon the liquid attainingthe predetermined level in the container to prevent counterpressure gasfrom within the container escaping through said liquid passage and whichcomprises a sleeve member disposed in surrounding relation with saidvanes to confine the liquid for flow within the curved flow pathsdefined by flow paths defined by said vanes and a centrally apertured,conical valve element carried by said sleeve and disposed below saidvanes in the direction of liquid flow through said liquid passage, saidvalve element adapted to produce by vortex action an acceleration in theliquid prior to entering the container whereby to increase the tendencyof the liq uid to flow outwardly to and circularly of the inner walls ofthe container upon entry thereto.

2. The construction of claim 1 wherein the curved vanes are disposedabove the liquid valve in the direction of liquid flow and said conicalvalve element is disposed below said liquid valve.

3. In a counterpressure type filler valve for introducing liquids intocontainers having a filling opening in one end and including liquidpassage, a liquid valve for controlling the flow of liquid through saidliquid passage to a container which is to be filled, and a gas passageextending centrally of the liquid passage for establishing an initialcounterpressure within the container and for thereafter providing forthe escape of counterpressure gas from within the container until theattainment of a predetermined level of liquid therein: means forproducing a vorticular flow motion in the liquid as it flows through theliquid passage and which comprises a series of liquid flow directingvanes arranged in helical-like formation relatively of the center ofsaid gas and liquid passages, said vanes defining a series of flow pathsfor the liquid and formed with an increasing root diameter in proceedingalong the length of the vanes in the direction of liquid flowtherethrough; and a check valve means adapted to effect a positive gasseal in said liquid passage upon the attainment of the predeterminedliquid level in the container and which comprises a cylindrical memberdisposed in surrounding relation with said liquid flow directing vanesand a centrally apertured valve element carried by said cylindricalmember and arranged below said liq uid flow directing vanes in thedirection of liquid flow therethrough, said check valve means normallypositioned with said-valve element in spaced relation from the lowerextremity of said liquid flow directing vanes during liquid flow to thecontainer.

4. Theconstruction of claim 3 wherein the liquid flow directing vanesare arranged above said liquid valve and have a root diameter at theirrespective lower extremities which is substantially equal the diameterof the liquid valve.

5. A counterpressure filler valve for introducing liquids intocontainers, comprising a liquid conduit, valve seating means defining afilling opening in said conduit and having a radially inwardly tapered,upstream face portion, a liquid flow controlling valve disposed in saidliquid conduit upstream of said valve seating means, and liquid flowdirecting means arranged in said liquid conduit above said liquid flowcontrolling valve for imparting an increased velocity and a spinningmotion to the liquid as it passes through said liquid conduit whereby inflowing into and effecting filling of the container, the liquid iscaused to be retained by centrifugal force on the inside face of thecontainer, said tapered face portion of the valve seating meansproviding a flow directing surface for the liquid between said liquidflow directing means and said filling opening and serving to effect again in the rate of spinning motion imparted to the liquid by the liquidflow directing means by vortex action whereby to amplify the magnitudeof the centrifugal force acting on the liquid as it flows into andeffects filling of the container.

6. In a counterpressure filler valve for introducing liquids intocontainers and characterized by the absence of any liquid flow means inthe top of the container which is to be filled, a liquid conduit havinga filling opening in one end thereof and adapted to be connected with asupply of the liquid to be introduced to said container, a liq uid valvedisposed in said conduit in upstream relation to the filling openingtherein, gas passage means disposed centrally of said liquid conduit forconducting counterpressure gas from the container as liquid is flowedthereinto and until the liquid is at a predetermined level in thecontainer, said gas passage means including a vent tube disposedcentrally of said filling opening and adapted to be received in thecontainer during filling of the same, movable valve means disposed insaid liquid conduit above said filling opening for forming a gas seal insaid conduit when the liquid reaches the predetermined level in thecontainer to prevent gas escape from the container through said liquidconduit, and a series of curved vane means arranged in said liquidconduit upstream of aid liquid valve, said vane means positioned insliding engagement with the wall of said liquid conduit and adapted toguide the movement of said valve means in said conduit said vane meansfurther defining a series of curved flow paths for the liquid in saidconduit wherein an increased velocity and a spinning motion is impartedto the liquid as it flows therethrough, said spinning motion causing anoutward flow of liquid in the container whereby to permit the unimpededflow of counterpressure gas from the container into said vent tube.

7. The construction of claim 6 wherein the liquid valve, vent tube andvane means have a common support in the liquid conduit.

8. In a counterpressure filler valve mechanism for introducing liquidsinto containers, a liquid passage, a gas passage located centrally ofsaid liquid passage for exhausting counterpressure gas from thecontainer until the attainment of a predetermined liquid level therein,a container sealing member in said liquid passage and adapted to engageand effect sealing of a container to be filled, a liquid flowcontrolling valve disposed in said liquid passage above said containersealing member in the direction of liquid flow through said liquidpassage, vortex inducing means located in said liquid passage upstreamof said liquid valve above said container sealing member for inducing anincreased velocity and a spinning motion in the liquid as it flowsthrough said liquid passage, and check valve means disposed in saidliquid passage above said container sealing member for forming a gasseal in said liquid passage upon the attainment of the predeterminedliquid level in the container to prevent counterpressure gas from thecontainer escaping through said liquid passage, said check valve meansforming a part of said vortex inducing means.

9. In a counterpressure filler valve mechanism, a liquid conduitprovided with a filling opening, a liquid flow controlling valvedisposed above said filling opening in the direction of liquid flowthrough said liquid passage, an actuating stern for said liquid valvefor movement between open and closed positions relatively of saidfilling open ing, said stem extending centrally of said liquid conduitand provided with an axially extending passage to selectively admitcounterpressure gas to the container prior to liquid flow thereinto andto draw ofl counterpressure gas from the container as the latter isfilled with liquid, a vent tube forming a continuation of the gaspassage in said actuating stem and adapted to be received in thecontainer during the filling thereof, a series of liquid flow directingvanes carried by said actuating stem above said liquid valve and formedat a lead angle to the stem, said vanes arranged inequi-circumferentially spaced relation to one another, said vanesimparting an increased velocity to the liquid and urging the liquidcircularly of the axis of the liquid conduit while advancing the liquidaxially thereof, and movable check valve means located in said liquidconduit for forming a gas seal in said liquid conduit when liquid flowtherethrough is stopped to prevent counterpressure gas escaping from thecontainer through said liquid conduit, said check valve means includinga sleeve disposed radially intermediately of said liquid flow directingvanes and said liquid conduit and a two seated, centrally aperturedvalve element disposed below said liquid flow controlling valve and saidfilling opening, said valve element providing a liquid flow directingsurface between the vanes and filling opening and having an inwardlytapered configuration to effect by vortex action a circumferentialacceleration of the liquid.

10. The method of filling a container with a foamable liquid through apassageway having a control valve therein comprising the steps of:

imparting a swirling motion to the liquid upstream of said valve so thatthe liquid flowing past said valve will flow in close proximity to theouter surface of the passageway and thus avoid substantial contact withthe valve member;

simultaneously imparting an acceleration to the flowing liquid duringthe time the swirling motion is being imparted thereto.

11. The method of filling a container with a foamable liquid through apassageway having a control valve therein comprising the steps of:

imparting a swirling motion to the liquid upstream of said valve so thatthe liquid flowing past said valve FOREIGN PATENTS will flow in closeproximity to the outer surface of the passageway and thus avoidsubstantial contact 33333 g i with the valve member; 371498 4/1932 g isimultaneously imparting an acceleration to the flowing 5 mat f liquidduring the time the swirling motion is being im- 4331986 8/1935 GreatBntam' parted thereto; and 1,004,828 9/1965 Great Britain. furtheraccelerating the swirling flow of liquid after it OTHER REFERENCES flowspast the control valve so that as it enters the container it will flowalong the sides thereof 10 German printed application 1,184,233,December 1964.

References Cited LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner UNITED STATESPATENTS E. I. EARLS, Assistant Examiner 3,385,327 5/1968 Grainer 141391,641,550 9/1927 Ross 141-302 X 15 -S- r 1,737,233 11/1929 Grifiiths251-126 X 1416, 40, 46, 48, 286, 302; 251-126 2,646,071 7/1953 Wagner25165 X 3,143,151 8/1964- Denis 14148 X 3,348,543 10/1967 Stafford251-65 X 20

